Introduction

Welcome, dear friends, to this gathering of hearts and souls, united in our shared love and reverence for our Lord and Savior. We are here today to delve into the Word, to seek guidance and wisdom, to find solace and strength. We are here today to connect with the Divine, to listen to His word, to understand His will. We are here today to celebrate the Kingdom of God, to grasp its meaning, to live its promise.

As the esteemed Christian theologian J.I. Packer once said, "Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life's problems fall into place of their own accord." Today, we endeavor to know God more intimately, to understand His Kingdom more deeply, and to live His promise more fully.

We turn to the Scripture, to the Gospel of John, chapter 10, verse 10, where it is written, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." And in the first letter of John, chapter 5, verse 11, we read, "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son."

These passages speak of a life that is not merely existing, not merely surviving, but a life that is thriving, flourishing, and overflowing with abundance. It speaks of a life that is eternal, not bound by the constraints of time and space, but a life that is in Christ, the Son of God. It speaks of a life that is not dictated by the thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but a life that is determined by the One who gives life in all its fullness.

As we delve into these profound truths today, let us remember that we are not merely spectators, but active participants in the Kingdom of God. We are not merely recipients of His grace, but carriers of His glory. We are not merely inheritors of His promise, but ambassadors of His love.

Defining the Kingdom of God

In the heart of the Gospel, we find a profound truth. A truth that speaks of a realm that is not of this world, yet is intimately connected to it. A realm that is not bound by the limitations of our physical existence, yet is deeply involved in it. This realm, this reality, is what Jesus referred to as the Kingdom of God.

When we think of a kingdom, we often think of a physical territory with clearly defined boundaries, governed by a king or queen. But the Kingdom of God is not like the kingdoms of this world. It is not a physical territory, but a spiritual reality. It is not limited to a specific location or time, but is present everywhere and at all times.

The Kingdom of God is a realm where God's will is done perfectly and completely. It is a realm where love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control reign supreme. It is a realm where there is no pain, no sorrow, no suffering, no death. Now, let's look at the Scripture more closely.

In John 10:10, Jesus says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Here, Jesus contrasts the work of the thief with His own work. The thief, who represents the forces of evil, comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But Jesus, the Son of God, comes to give life in all its fullness.

This fullness of life is not just about quantity, but also about quality. It is not just about living a long life, but about living a meaningful life. It is not just about surviving, but about thriving. This is the life that Jesus offers. This is the life that is available in the Kingdom of God.

In 1 John 5:11, we read, "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." Here, the apostle John speaks of the eternal life that God has given us through His Son, Jesus Christ. This eternal life is not just about life after death, but about a quality of life that begins now and continues forever. It is a life that is characterized by a deep, intimate relationship with God. It is a life that is lived in the presence of God, under the rule of God, for the glory of God.

This eternal life is something that we receive as a gift. It is not based on our performance, but on God's grace. It is not dependent on our efforts, but on God's love. This is the life that God offers. This is the life that is available in the Kingdom of God.

So, when we talk about the Kingdom of God, we are talking about a realm where God's will is done perfectly and completely. We are talking about a realm where life is lived in all its fullness, in all its abundance. We are talking about a realm where eternal life is experienced in a deep, intimate relationship with God. This is the Kingdom of God. This is the reality that Jesus invites us to enter, to experience, to enjoy.

But how do we enter this Kingdom? How do we experience this life? How do we enjoy this reality? Jesus gives us the answer in John 3:3. He says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God." To enter the Kingdom of God, to experience the life that Jesus offers, we need to be born again. We need to experience a spiritual rebirth. We need to receive a new life from God.

Distinguishing Life in the Kingdom

As we continue to reflect on the Kingdom of God, we find ourselves drawn to the life it offers ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO